News
Duncan Lewis involved in successful High Court Challenge to Home Office Policy on Detention of Victims of Torture (11 October 2017)
In a judgment handed down on the 10th October 2017, the Home Office was told that its policy regarding how it defines those who have suffered torture is unlawful, for the purposes of identifying those who are vulnerable and at risk in detention.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors achieves excellent nationwide Legal 500 recognition with 2 Top Tier and 11 legal practice areas across the UK ranked (11 October 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are proud to announce outstanding recognition in the Legal 500 2017 Edition which sees 11 legal departments nationwide and an exceptional 34 lawyers receiving recommendations.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis wins in two categories in the Lex 100 annual awards (6 October 2017)
Lex 100 has undertaken its annual trainee survey, finding Duncan Lewis worthy of winning two categories in UK law firm training contracts.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis collaborates with the University of East London at Romford Autism Hub (27 September 2017)
Duncan Lewis’ Family and Childcare Director, Emine Mehmet, will be providing free legal advice sessions at the Romford Autism Hub from 11th October. These sessions are run by charity Sycamore Trust UK and the University of East London (UEL).. Read more...
Duncan Lewis is shortlisted for 8 awards at the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2017 (7 September 2017)
We are very pleased to announce that Duncan Lewis has been shortlisted for 8 awards at the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2017! . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors Shortlisted for Jordan’s Family Law Awards 2017 (6 September 2017)
Legal 500 “top-tier” firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors have been shortlisted for the Family Law London Firm of the Year in the 2017 edition of the prestigious Jordan’s Family Law Awards.. Read more...
Tier 1 – The ‘Genuine Entrepreneur’ Test (25 August 2017)
Entrepreneurs are usually in a league of their own. Admirably so, as they show capacity and willingness to develop and manage a business venture along with any of its risks to make a profit. Talent and drive has led to the success of many notable entrepreneurs: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, JP Morgan and Coco Chanel, just to name a few. Read more...
A bottle of sand from Jordan (21 August 2017)
‘Do I need to sell my bracelets?’ asked Sham at our first meeting. ‘I have been selling all my jewellery bit by bit to support my family since we left Syria. These are all I have left. Shall I sell them to pay your fee?’. Read more...
High Court rules detention of torture victim in Detained Fast Track unlawful (21 August 2017)
The High Court has ruled, in YA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 2135, that it was unlawful for the Home Office to detain YA, a torture victim who provided indicators of vulnerability, including a letter from the Helen Bamber Foundation that stated the detainee’s case merited further clinical investigation. Read more...
Legal 500 recommended National Law Firm, Duncan Lewis, appoints Manjinder Kaur Atwal and Sheena Donlon as Directors (18 August 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the recent internal appointments of Manjinder Kaur Atwal as Director of Housing and Sheena Donlon as Director of Family & Childcare. Read more...
Legal 500 recommended National Law Firm, Duncan Lewis, hires solicitor Adrian Smith to provide new Housing services in Luton and Milton Keynes (18 August 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the recent hiring of Housing and Property Litigation solicitor, Adrian Smith. Adrian will be based in the company’s Luton office and will also provide housing services in Milton Keynes. Read more...
The forgotten: Legal Limbo Faced by Asylum Seekers requiring Mental Health support (17 August 2017)
Many migrants with no status that have fled their country of origin due to torture, violence and/or the fear of persecution will escape to countries which are globally perceived as havens of justice, equality and liberty. Read more...
Breaking the Barriers – A progressive Judiciary (17 August 2017)
Any practitioner of Law will have, undoubtedly, encountered a Client (or two…) who feels the Judiciary is simply not representative of them; disconnected. Arguably, there are many contributory factors – whether it’s the use of Latin terminology in Court Proceedings, the garb adopted by Counsel and the Judiciary in Criminal matters or the domination of the bench by white privately educated males. Read more...
Employment tribunal classes bicycle courier as a ‘worker’ in latest decision on “gig economy” employment rights (9 August 2017)
The London Central Employment Tribunal has ruled that a former bike courier of Addison Lee was a ‘worker’ not an “independent contractor” and therefore was entitled to employment rights that were not afforded to him, such as holiday pay and the national minimum wage. Read more...
Case Comment – N v ACCG (2017) (4 August 2017)
The Supreme Court handed down judgment in N v ACCG on 22 March 2017, unanimously rejecting an appeal brought by MN’s parents. The principal issues that the Court had to consider can be illustrated by asking this question: what should the Court of Protection do if a party to the case wishes to pursue a best interest option that a public body will not fund? . Read more...
Duncan Lewis is shortlisted for 7 awards at The Law Society Excellence Awards 2017 (4 August 2017)
We are very pleased to announce that Duncan Lewis has been shortlisted for 7 awards at The Law Society Excellence Awards 2017! The Law Society’s Excellence Awards annual ceremony is committed to celebrating excellence across all disciplines in the legal profession and is designed to reward outstanding contributions to the industry. Read more...
The Plight of the Hungarian Roma (4 August 2017)
I recently assisted a Hungarian Roma (gypsy) in his immigration appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision to remove him to Hungary on the basis of his Article 3 ECHR grounds. Initially I couldn’t fathom that the treatment of Roma people in my home country of Hungary, an EU country, could be so bad. However, after my client’s flight was stopped, I felt a sudden curiosity to explore the plight of the Hungarian gypsies and the type of discrimination they are subject to on a daily basis. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Statement: Unauthorised Segregation in Immigration Detention found to breach Article 8 ECHR (2 August 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is pleased to announce that the High Court has handed down a ruling finding that the segregation of their client at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) was unlawful and in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors continues to embrace its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (2 August 2017) (2 August 2017)
With 63% of the workforce being female, 14% over the age of 45 years, 38% from an Asian/Asian British background and 20% from other ethnic minority groups*, Duncan Lewis is a national law firm which continues to embraces its equality, diversity and inclusion. Read more...
Internal seminar by 7 Bedford Row Chambers (27 July 2017)
On the 5th July the Public Law & Immigration teams at Duncan Lewis Solicitors welcomed speakers Mr Clayton QC (Deputy High Court Judge), Mr Tim Meakin and Mr Chris Canning to the Harrow Office. Read more...
Rubin Italia interviewed by LBC Radio (20 July 2017)
Rubin Italia was interviewed by LBC Radio to discuss the extension of the legal scheme under which anyone can ask for convicted criminals sentences to be extended. As it stands the current scheme allows these requests to be made for criminals who have been convicted of crimes such as sexual offences, robbery and crimes involving fire arms. However, it is being extended to terrorist related offences. Read more...
Naim Hasani’s presentation at UCL Conference (12 July 2017)
Naim Hasani, immigration and public law consultant solicitor with Duncan Lewis Solicitors, participated at a conference on Albanian asylum seekers on Tuesday 6 June 2017. The conference, ‘Walking a tightrope’: Exploring hidden issues, challenges and complexities surrounding the protection needs of unaccompanied minors from Albania living in the United Kingdom, took place at University College London. Read more...
Duncan Lewis appoints Ahmed Aydeed as Director of Public Law (12 July 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is very pleased to announce the recent internal appointment of Ahmed Aydeed as Director of Public Law. He will oversee the company’s Public Law Judicial Review Claimant practice in Birmingham, Leicester & Milton Keynes. Read more...
Manjinder Kaur Atwal interviewed on TALKRadio (12 July 2017)
Manjinder, of Harrow’s Housing Department, was interviewed on TALKRAdio, where she discussed her work with residents of Grenfell Tower. Read more...
Phillip Armitage interviewed on LBC Radio (12 July 2017)
Phillip Armitage was recently interviewed by Nick Ferrari on LBC Radio about the £1 an hour wages in immigration detention centres shortly after Baroness Williams defended the work as "entirely voluntary". Read more...
“You could go to jail if you don’t answer my questions!” – Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is real and its effects are staggering (11 July 2017)
Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is a breathtakingly broad and intrusive power to stop, search and hold individuals at sea and, airports and international rail stations. Read more...
Duncan Lewis send lawyers to the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda (11 July 2017)
This July, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are sending Toufique Hossain, Director of Public Law, and Patrick Page, a caseworker in that department, to work in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement of central Uganda. Read more...
The Jungle: A Reflection. (11 July 2017)
In October 2016, I travelled on two occasions to the Refugee Camp in Calais, known as the ‘Jungle’ with my colleagues. The camp was due to be destroyed imminently in a collaborative effort between the French and British governments. This destruction left thousands of asylum seekers who dreamed of seeking refuge in the United Kingdom homeless and in limbo. Read more...
London – The Divorce Capital Haven (11 July 2017)
London has developed a reputation of being the global capital for “divorce tourism”. It has previously been reported by The Times that one sixth of all divorce cases, and around half of the ‘big money’ cases, heard by Family Courts in London involved international couples. Read more...
Athens - May 2017 (11 July 2017)
Sondos Arafa spent a week in Athens helping asylum seekers as part of the ILPA (Immigration Practitioners Association) Athens Legal Support project. The project is a pilot scheme aimed at sending volunteer asylum lawyers to Greece to provide legal advice and assistance. Read more...
The £1 an hour IRC Challenge (10 July 2017)
We were pleased to see that Baroness Hamwee raised the issue of immigration detainees working for £1 an hour in immigration removal centres (IRCs) in the House of Lords. This follows the recent Guardian article that reported on our group litigation challenging this. Read more...
Duncan Lewis sets up Grenfell Tower Pro Bono Clinics (22 June 2017)
Duncan Lewis would like to express their most sincere sympathies to all those who have been affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. As an organisation we have raised funds and also made a significant donation in the form of clothes and other necessities to the victims and their families. Read more...
Locum doctors and nurses succeed in overturning unfair tax rule (1 June 2017)
Two unions representing locum doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals have today succeeded in overturning a new tax rule imposed by NHS Improvement (NHSI) that risked thousands of agency workers leaving the NHS. Read more...
Public Law director Toufique Hossain is shortlisted for Immigration and Asylum Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (25 May 2017)
Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce that Public Law Director Toufique Hossain has been shortlisted for Immigration and Asylum Lawyer of the Year at the forthcoming Legal Aid Practitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards. Read more...
Locked-in Limbo: The Continued Detention of Stateless Persons (24 May 2017)
“The waiting is the worst part of detention. It’s like you don’t have any control any more, you just sit and wait. You wait for someone else to tell who you are and what is your country.”. Read more...
Civil Partnerships for all? (9 May 2017)
In February this year, the Court Of Appeal ruled that a heterosexual couple could not enter into a civil partnership instead of a marriage. Recent polling by Populus has found that three in five people in Great Britain believe that civil partnerships should be open to both hetero and homo-sexual couples. Read more...
‘Big Little Lies’ and Domestic Abuse (8 May 2017)
Having watched ‘Big Little Lies’ dramatic conclusion, I felt compelled to extol its virtues; this mini-series, written for Sky Atlantic by David E. Kelly, is set in a beautiful coastal town where a murder has taken place. The characters are played by beautiful actors, who all have beautiful children. Most are in couples with successful careers and living in Architect Digest/Grand Designs worthy homes overlooking the ocean. Read more...
Duncan Lewis sends team of Solicitors to ILPA Athens Legal Advice (3 May 2017)
A group of solicitors from Duncan Lewis took part in pilot scheme run by the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (IPLA) to help asylum seekers in Greece. Read more...
Ahmed Aydeed discusses the issue of people trafficking from Vietnam (Channel News Asia) (2 May 2017)
Ahmed Aydeed was interviewed by Channel News Asia for a special video feature about the plight of the victims who have been trafficked from Vietnam. Read more...
Alex Peebles joins Duncan Lewis Solicitors (25 April 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors welcomes solicitor Alex Peebles to the Public Law team. Read more...
Gethin Payne discusses theft by finding on ABN Radio (21 April 2017)
Gethin is a solicitor-advocate for Duncan Lewis Solicitors, regularly appearing in Magistrates Courts across the country as an advocate as well as litigating more serious matters. . Read more...
Vaginal Mesh Implants: Duncan Lewis Solicitors represent a victim of vaginal mesh implant surgery (21 April 2017)
Over 800 women are taking legal action against the NHS and manufacturers of vaginal mesh implants, including a client represented by Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors. Read more...
Immigration Asylum Chamber to treat Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ asylum appeal as a Libya Country Guidance case (20 April 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is currently representing a Libyan national in an asylum appeal against a decision by the Secretary of State dated September 2015 for the Home Department to refuse asylum. Read more...
Duncan Lewis client has charges of Money Laundering dropped (19 April 2017)
Graeme Rothwell of Duncan Lewis Solicitors represented Karen Taylor, who had been charged with offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2007 – known more commonly as money laundering. Read more...
Integrate then Leave: The Precarious Status of Unaccompanied Afghan Asylum Seeking Children in the UK (13 April 2017)
The story is familiar but that does not make it any less shocking. I am speaking with a client who now has the threat of forced removal to Afghanistan hanging over him. He may be in a detention centre, told that he is to be removed in a couple of days. He is terrified that every time he reports, he may be detained. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis joins Refugees, Lawyers and Waging Peace in the Play 2 Remember Football Tournament 2017 (7 April 2017)
The first day of April was a beguilingly calm and beautiful spring day, with a warming sun and a fresh breeze, as we assembled on the fields of White City Tiger Turf, a tangled mass of sinewy limbs, chiselled jaw-lines, bulging calf muscles, and heavy brows; the crème de la crème of Duncan Lewis sporting talent. Read more...
DUNCAN LEWIS SOLICITORS OFFERING FREE TRAINING SESSIONS – ADVANCE DECISIONS/ COURT OF PROTECTION (7 April 2017)
The Court of Protection is responsible for assisting people that no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions. It is the responsibility of the Court to ensure that vulnerable persons cannot be exploited, and those responsible for their welfare are assisting appropriately. Read more...
Patrick Page discusses detention centres in Malta (ABN) (7 April 2017)
Patrick was invited to ABN to discuss the state of detention centres in the most popular arrival destinations for refuges in Europe. Having spent time visiting a detention centre in Malta Patrick focused his discussion on the knowledge he garnered from this. Read more...
Have you been subject to a search at the UK Border? It may have been unlawful (31 March 2017)
When entering the UK the UK Border Force retains the right to search persons they deem suspicious or believe to be carrying restricted or prohibited items under section 164 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA). Read more...
All Hands on Deck: May Calls for Unity after the Triggering of Article 50 (30 March 2017)
‘We are one great union of people and nations with a proud history and a bright future’. So declared Theresa May in her statement to the Commons on Wednesday 29 March, the day the United Kingdom set sail, with the Union Jack flying high, into unchartered seas. Read more...
Nicholas Hughes discusses the legal implications of Brexit on ABN Radio (30 March 2017)
Public Law Caseworker Nicholas Hughes was invited to ABN radio to discuss the triggering of Article 50. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors appoints Rohena Wallace as Director of Public Law & Immigration and Zofia Duszynska as Director of Immigration (30 March 2017)
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Rohena Wallace as Director of Public Law & Immigration and Zofia Duszynska as Director of Immigration. Read more...
Lord Dubs meets Dubs 67 child at the Houses of Parliament (24 March 2017)
On 15th March, seven refugee children were invited to Parliament by Citizens UK, where they met their local MPs and Lord Dubs, the man who sponsored a crucial amendment to the Immigration Act 2016 that allowed for the safe passage of unaccompanied refugee children to the UK at a time when the European migrant crisis was at its peak. Read more...
Patrick Page interviewed on ABN Radio regarding the recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling (24 March 2017)
Patrick Page was recently interviewed on ABN radio alongside Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo discussing the recent ruling from the ECJ stating that it is not unlawful to ban religious, political or philosophical symbols in the workplace where a company wishes to project a neutral image and this 'neutral' image is enshrined in the companies internal rules. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors shortlisted for 4 Solicitors Journal Awards (23 March 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is pleased to announce that the firm has made the shortlist for four out of the fifteen categories for the Solicitors Journal Awards 2017. Read more...
Unlawfully obtained documents; what to do with illegal evidence that proves wrong-doing (23 March 2017)
What can I do if my ex partner is hiding money? This is a question frequently asked of family solicitors. There is a very real fear from many parties to divorce, particularly those in a weaker financial position, that the other party is hiding a large proportion of their assets and failing to disclose this to the court. Read more...
Zofia Duszynska celebrates International Women’s Day (23 March 2017)
On Tuesday 7 March Zofia was delighted to be invited by Norton Rose Fulbright to join a panel discussing the distinct issues facing women and child refugees. Read more...
Public Law and Immigration Solicitor Eleri Haf Davies is shortlisted for “Rising Star” at the forthcoming Solicitors Journal Awards 2017 (23 March 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is pleased to announce that Cardiff based newly qualified Public Law & Immigration Solicitor Eleri Haf Davies is one of five individuals nationwide shortlisted for the Solicitors Journal “Rising Star” Award 2017. Read more...
Rubin Italia discusses new mobile phone driving penalties (ABN Radio) (15 March 2017)
Rubin was invited on to ABN to clarify the changes in legislation regrading drivers using their mobile phones. He clarified that it is not the law that had changed, but the punishment for breaking said laws have become more severe. Read more...
Tumaco: Colombia's forgotten territory (14 March 2017)
Public Law Solicitor Eleri Haf Davies was invited by Colombia Caravana, a human rights activist group, to form part of a delegation determined to unearth the interlocking socio-economic and political web that has allowed this part of the world to fall to the hands of warring paramilitary forces. Read more...
The Punishment Room: Challenging the Abusive Use of Segregation in Immigration Detention (13 March 2017)
Pamela* had just had a shower and was still in her underwear, applying moisturiser, when the immigration officers came into her room to remove her from the UK. Our client refused to be taken to the airport, as she still had an outstanding application for leave to remain in the UK, so the officers tried to remove her by force, one grabbed her neck and head, pushing these down towards her chest and blocking her windpipe. ‘I was filled with fear and tried to get out of her grip,’ Pamela told us, ‘I kept telling her “I cannot breathe” but she continued to push my head towards my chest. Eventually I stopped trying to get out of her grip and fell to the floor’. Read more...
Merton Compliant Age Assessments (10 March 2017)
When an unaccompanied minor child enters the UK seeking asylum, some would have their age disputed by the authorities, and would have to be subject to an age assessment by the relevant Local Authorities. Normally, such referrals would be made by the Home Office before any decision can be taken on the asylum claims. Read more...
Supreme Court grants permission to appeal in Nationality Appeals (7 March 2017)
On 27th February 2017 two clients of Duncan Lewis Immigration Consultant Solicitor Naim Hasani were granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court in three linked nationality cases. This matter looks to clarify when it is appropriate to deprive an individual of British nationality or treat the citizenship claim as a nullity, in cases where the individual has obtained citizenship by way of impersonation, fraud and/or concealment of a material fact. The cases are lined up to set a precedent for future decisions regarding nationality claims via naturalization as a result of false representations. Read more...
Can my ex-partner refuse to sign the divorce petition? Can they prevent the divorce from taking place? (3 March 2017)
This is a fear for many people seeking a divorce. In a recent case, widely publicised in the national press, Tini Owens attempted to divorce her husband and has been told by the court that she cannot.. Read more...
Ahmed Aydeed discusses the Dubs Amendment on ABN Radio (20 February 2017)
The Dubs Amendment, named after its key proponent Lord Dubs who was rescued, via the kindertransport network, from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia when he was six, legislated that the government would have to ‘make arrangements to relocate to the United Kingdom and support a specified number of unaccompanied refugee child from other countries in Europe’. Read more...
‘REJECT-NO FAM’: our fight for the abandoned children of Calais (20 February 2017)
The Calais ‘Jungle’ in early October 2016 was tense and dangerous. As Dan Tucker from Social Workers Without Borders (SWWB) put it, ‘the most creative of poets could not encapsulate the frustration and prolonged misery of that place’. The French authorities had announced their intention to destroy the camp, but none of the residents knew when this was due to happen, or where they would go. . Read more...
Vinita Templeton is invited to discuss the position of client Bashir Naderi’s current legal battle on BBC Radio Wales on Friday 27th of January (31 January 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Cardiff Immigration team, headed by Director of Immigration, Vinita Templeton, discloses position of client Bashir Naderi’s current legal battle. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors opens new offices in Luton and Swansea (31 January 2017)
Legal 500 leading law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Swansea, Wales offering legal services in matters pertaining to Immigration; Public Law; Family & Childcare; Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury. Duncan Lewis is also pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Luton, Bedfordshire on 30th January 2017 headed up by Director of Public Law Bahar Ata and Director of Childcare Krina Parmar. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors' Syed Talha Rafique receives award for Services to Law at the 5th Annual British Muslim Awards (27 January 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is proud to announce that Syed Talha Rafique is the winner of the British Muslim Award’s Services to Law Award. Presented by Al Rayan Bank on 25th January 2017 at the Athena in Leicester, these awards aim to acknowledge and honour the achievements of British Muslims throughout the country across various different aspects of society, such as business, charity, sport, arts and culture.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Family & Child Care Solicitor Jaswinder Kalsi is named one of The Sikh Network’s 350 SIKH WOMEN (26 January 2017)
Jaswinder Kalsi, a Solicitor with Duncan Lewis & Co Solicitors has been named on a list compiled by The Sikh Network of 350 Sikh Women to celebrate 350th birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji – who formed the concept of baptised Sikhs. It aims to raise the profile of contribution of Sikh Women in history. . Read more...
James Packer was invited on ABN Radio to discuss the Supreme Court ruling on Article 50 (26 January 2017)
James Packer appeared on ABN radio to comment on the legal and political implications, of the Supreme Court ruling which rejected the Government’s appeal in the Miller Case (the Brexit appeal).. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors appoints Bahar Ata as Director of Public Law & Immigration for Luton Office (19 January 2017)
Legal 500 “Leading Law Firm” Duncan Lewis are pleased to announce the appointment of Bahar Ata as Director of Public Law & Immigration for our Luton Office.. Read more...
Regina v K: Duncan Lewis Solicitors Successfully Invoke the Abuse of Process Jurisdiction to Stay Proceedings (18 January 2017)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors recently acted in Regina v K, at St Albans Crown Court, in which the exceptional abuse of process jurisdiction was invoked to stay proceedings. The case involved allegations of historic sexual abuse between two half-brothers that were the subject of a police investigation in 2007. Originally, the investigation had concluded and a social services disposal followed, when both of the parties were young children, aged 12 and 9 years old respectively. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Sarinder Malhi discusses the benefits of creating a lasting power of attorney (14 December 2016)
Creating a will ensures that after death our wishes are followed. However, if in later life we are no longer able to make our own decisions, how do we ensure our choices are followed? Whilst mental incapacity is a scenario that many of us would rather not think about, the reality of our ageing population is that incidences of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia have dramatically increased within our society.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are offering free training sessions (13 December 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors would like to take this opportunity to indicate that we are providing free meet and greet opportunities to train organisations in relation to any of our below areas of Public Law. We are particularly pleased to offer this service to any professional bodies such as: advocacy services, IMCA/ IMHA organisations, carer groups, disability right groups, regulatory groups and any schools that would find training useful. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Helen Cummings provides advice at The Advocacy Project’s “meet and greet” (7 December 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors on the 1 December 2016 provided a “Meet and greet” session to service users at The Advocacy Project. The Advocacy Project ensures that the most vulnerable people in London have meaningful choice and control over what happens in their lives particularly older people and those with learning disabilities, dementia and mental health issues. With a long tradition of working with adults and older people, we have now extended our scope and are undertaking invaluable work with children and young people. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors shortlisted for three awards at this year’s Law Works Annual Pro Bono Awards (5 December 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they have been shortlisted for two awards at the Law Works Annual Pro Bono Awards – the “LawWorks Cymru Award” and the “Best contribution by a firm with a London head office”. Duncan Lewis Director, Emine Mehmet, has also been shortlisted for the award of “Best contribution by an individual”.. Read more...
Public Law Solicitor Sheroy Zaq discusses his support for The Access Project (1 December 2016)
Towards the end of last year, I made the decision to give up alcohol for the entirety of 2016. Given that it was such a huge part of my social life, I knew that I could raise some money for a worthy cause in doing so. I thought about the issues that are most important to me and it occurred to me that despite my desire for socio-economic equality and access to equal opportunities for all, I do not do enough to provide assistance to those who require it the most. I was then introduced to the Access Project by a friend of mine and I instantly knew that this was the charity that I had been looking for.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis application results in High Court suspending restrictive definition of torture for immigration detainees (25 November 2016)
The High Court has ordered the Home Office to temporarily suspend the use of a restricted definition of torture in their new policy on immigration detention, following an application for interim relief by Duncan Lewis Solicitors.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Family & Child Care Director Emine Mehmet receives 2016 Family Law Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award (24 November 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are extremely pleased to announce that Family & Child Care Director Emine Mehmet was awarded the Family Law Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award at the recent 6th annual Family Law Awards.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors has been awarded the 2017 Crime Contracts for the provision of Duty Solicitor Services (24 November 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors has been awarded Crime Contracts for the provision of Duty Solicitor Services, from January/April 2017 at Police Stations, Magistrates Courts and in the Crown Courts from 27 offices in London and across the UK.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Eleri Haf Davies discusses her involvement with Caravana Colombia in an interview with ABN radio (22 November 2016)
Duncan Lewis’ Eleri Haf Davies was selected by the International Jurists, Colombia Caravana to take part in this year's delegation to Colombia. The Colombia Caravana was founded in 2008 after the National Colombian Association of Human Rights Lawyers (ACADEHUM) asked the international legal community to develop and implement an international programme of support for human rights lawyers working in Colombia. The Colombia Caravana UK Lawyers’ Group is now at the centre of an international network of jurists offering support to lawyers and other legal professionals in Colombia. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Family & Child Care Solicitor Emily Wright Achieves Law Society’s Children Law Panel Membership (21 November 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Family & Child Care Solicitor Emily Wright to the Law Society’s Children Law Panel.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Family & Child Care Solicitor Jaswinder Kalsi is awarded the Society of Asian Lawyers’ Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award (21 November 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are extremely pleased to announce that on Saturday, 19th November 2016, Family & Child Care Solicitor Jaswinder Kalsi received the Society of Asian Lawyers’ Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Receives Prestigious Pro Bono Nomination for Dublin III Calais Work (16 November 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors has been nominated as part of a legal collective for PILnet’s 2016 European Award for Exemplary Partnership in the Public Interest, specifically for its work on reuniting unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors across Europe with their family members in the UK under the EU Dublin Regulation. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis pays tribute to Sir Mota Singh: UK’s first ethnic minority judge (15 November 2016)
His Honour Sir Mota Singh QC was the first ethnic minority Judge to sit on the English Bench. In 1967 Singh joined the English Bar and was appointed to the bench in 1982. He was the first Judge to wear a turban instead of the traditional horse hair wig in court. In 2010, he received a knighthood from the Queen, the highest civilian honour for his services to the Judiciary and for his charitable and community work. Singh was the first Sikh QC and is regarded as a highly regarded and pioneering figure for ethnic minorities within the legal profession.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis’ Alexander Henderson discusses Islamophobia and Radicalisation at The Halo Project Event in Teesside (14 November 2016)
Alexander Henderson of Duncan Lewis works closely with the ‘Halo Project’, based in Teesside, whose work focuses on protecting vulnerable women who are seeking to flee domestic abuse, forced marriage or female genital mutilation. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis' Eleri Haf Davies goes to TUMACO: Colombia's forgotten territory (8 November 2016)
In August 2016, Duncan Lewis’ Public Law Caseworker Eleri Haf Davies was invited to join the International Jurists Commission, Caravana Colombia, to undertake research into the human rights situation in Colombia. . Read more...
Director of Housing Heather Iqbal Rayner participates in ‘landmark case’ passing important new law on issuing warrants for possession (8 November 2016)
Director of Housing at Duncan Lewis, Heather Iqbal Rayner was solicitor with lead conduct in this landmark judgment. The Court of Appeal has ruled in Cardiff County Council v Lee (Flowers) [2016] EWCA Civ 1034 that residential landlords must apply for the court^s permission before being able to apply for an eviction warrant if a Suspended Possession Order is breached.. Read more...
Chambers UK 2017 results: Duncan Lewis Solicitor’s Criminal Defence Team ranked as a Top Ranking Firm and Director’s Toufique Hossain, Dianne Cowie and Laila Bhunnoo ranked as leaders in their field (8 November 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is delighted to announce that the company’s Crime & Fraud legal department has been recognised as a Top Ranking practice in Crime for Watford, Uxbridge & Surrounding areas. Director Toufique Hossain of Public Law and Immigration, Director Dianne Cowie of Housing and Director Laila Bhunnoo of Family and Child Care have also been ranked as leaders in their respective fields. . Read more...
James Packer was invited on ABN Radio following the ruling on the 3rd November that Brexit cannot begin until Parliament agrees (7 November 2016)
“Brexit means… err….”. Read more...
Community Care Director Jemma Garside appears on BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire (4 November 2016)
Community Care Director Jemma Garside appeared on BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire on Wednesday 2nd November to discuss care homes banning relatives who make a complaint about the quality of care.. Read more...
James Packer appeared on ABN Radio to discuss Theresa May’s crackdown on so-called ‘Health Tourism’ (24 October 2016)
James Packer was invited on ABN Radio to discuss Theresa May’s recent remarks in parliament concerning pregnant women. In NHS hospitals, there are proposals that pregnant women are set to be forced to show their passports before receiving treatment. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors welcomes back new Family and Childcare Director Laila Bhunnoo (12 October 2016)
Recognised by Legal 500 2016 for their expertise in family & childcare matters, Duncan Lewis are pleased to welcome back to the firm Director of Family & Childcare, Laila Bhunnoo.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors supporting World Mental Health Day (10 October 2016)
In support of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, Duncan Lewis Solicitors wish to raise awareness on the topics of Mental Capacity and the Court of Protection. We must work together to mobilise efforts in support of those suffering mental health difficulties and by raising awareness on various Mental Health topics we are seeking to do this.. Read more...
Toufique Hossain spoke at Goldsmiths University Conference about developing Afghan protection claims to safeguard unaccompanied children (27 September 2016)
Recommended by Legal 500 2016 Edition as a ‘genuine star’ in his field, Toufique Hossain, Director of Public Law and Immigration at Duncan Lewis, spoke at the ^Uncertain Journeys^ conference at Goldsmiths University on Thursday 15th September. The conference covered new strategies and initiatives for the support of unaccompanied and separated children. Toufique spoke about last year’s legal work in stopping mass charter flights to Afghanistan and the current work in developing and preparing Afghan protection claims which may affect unaccompanied children. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors take Pride in their Diversity and Inclusion (26 September 2016)
A 2015 Equality and Diversity survey of over half of Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ workforce reported that 68% of their staff were female, 10% were over the age of 45 years, 42% were from an Asian/Asian British background and 27% were from other ethnic minority groups. . Read more...
Top Tier Law Firm Duncan Lewis appoints ‘Leading Lawyer’ Vinita Templeton and Bernadette Adusei as Directors of Immigration (23 September 2016)
Ranked as Top-Tier firm by Legal 500 2016 Edition for its Immigration Human Rights practices in London and Cardiff, Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce the recent appointments of both Vinita Templeton and Bernadette Adusei as Directors of Immigration.. Read more...
Legal 500 National Law Firm Duncan Lewis appoints Bernadette Chikwe as Director of Housing for Dalston (23 September 2016)
Recommended by Legal 500 2016 Edition for its work representing landlord and tenants in social housing matters across London and South Wales, Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Bernadette Chikwe as a Director of Housing for the company’s East London, Dalston branch.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Immigration Practices in London and Wales receive ‘Top Tier’ recognition by Legal 500 2016 for its Judicial Review and Asylum work (23 September 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors received its first “Top Tier” Ranking award for its London Immigration Human Rights practice and maintained a “Top Tier” status for its Immigration Human Rights work in Wales. Solicitor Vinita Templeton, specialised in immigration judicial review, received elite “Leading Lawyer” status. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis achieves excellent nationwide Legal 500 recognition with 2 Top Tier and 10 legal practice areas across the UK ranked (16 September 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are proud to announce outstanding recognition in the Legal 500 2016 Edition which sees 10 legal departments nationwide receiving recommendations with 16 recommended lawyers.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors representing “P” in Court of Protection against NHS bodies: Next hearing 15/9/2016 (14 September 2016)
Specialist Public law experts at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, will represent “P” in Court of Protection Proceedings on the 15/9/2016 against two NHS bodies. The legal team are assisted by Mr Lee Parkhill (of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers, London) a barrister experienced in public law and Court of Protection matters. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitor Sabina Angeli won complicated Tribunal Appeal for an Afghan interpreter who claimed asylum in the UK (12 September 2016)
The recent Duncan Lewis judicial review case of MJE^s appeal led by lead solicitor Sabina Angeli saw the Tribunal accept the appeal of an Afghan asylum seeker who arrived in the UK to escape from life threatening circumstances he faced from the Taliban.. Read more...
Toufique Hossain speaking at Goldsmiths University Conference regarding migrant children (9 September 2016)
Accredited by the Law Society at 3(Advanced) of the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme, Duncan Lewis Immigration Director Toufique Hossain will be attending as a speaker the Conference on New strategies and initiatives for the support of unaccompanied and separated migrant children at the Goldsmiths University on Thursday 15th September.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Child Care Solicitor Emily Wright achieves Law Society Children Panel Accreditation (8 September 2016)
Recognised by Legal 500 as a leading matrimonial practice and an undoubted force in international children law, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Child Care Solicitor Emily Wright has achieved the prestigious Children Panel Accreditation.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Public Law team returns from Germany as part of an ongoing challenge to reunite an unaccompanied Afghan asylum-seeking child with his family in the UK (8 September 2016)
Nicholas Hughes and Lewis Kett have recently returned from a visit to a refugee centre for unaccompanied minors in Germany, where they are helping to reunite a vulnerable Afghan child with his surviving family in the UK. This is in relation to a legal challenge against the UK Government for failing to accept responsibility on an expedited basis for the asylum application of the unaccompanied child, as per the Dublin III Regulation. The Home Office’s refusal to act means that the unaccompanied child will be stuck in Germany for many months, increasing the mental anguish suffered as a result of the journey to Europe and the separation from his family.. Read more...
Calais Update: Duncan Lewis continues its work on behalf of Afghan Interpreters (7 September 2016)
Solicitor Lewis Kett, in the Public Law Team at Duncan Lewis, is working with charity Refugee and Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research (RAPAR) in assisting two former Afghan interpreters for the British army who are currently stranded in the Calais “Jungle” in France.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors working with Safe Passage to help refugee children in Calais (19 August 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors have just come back from the Jungle in Calais where they are helping to reunite stranded refugee children with family members in the UK. In partnership with Safe Passage and with support from the Red Cross, Zofia Duszynska and Sondos Arafa join a team of British lawyers assisting children to achieve safety as soon as possible.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors shortlisted for Law Society’s Excellence Awards 2016 in Business Development (5 August 2016)
Shortlisted for Law Society’s Diversity & Inclusion 2015 Excellence Award, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they have been shortlisted for the prestigious Law Society’s 2016 Excellence in Business Development Award for the first time.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors shortlisted for Law Society’s Excellence Awards 2016 for Pro Bono Work (5 August 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” law firm and first law firm in the UK to achieve and maintain Investors in People Gold Accreditation since 2009, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they have been shortlisted for Excellence Awards 2016 in Pro Bono work. This Law Society shortlist was significantly due to the extensive pro bono presence that Duncan Lewis has established in Cardiff, South Wales through the co-ordination of Director of Housing for Cardiff, Heather Iqbal-Rayner.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Public Law Director Adam Tear shortlisted for Solicitor Advocate of the Year and Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2016 (4 August 2016)
Legal 500 “Top Tier” law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Public Law Director Adam Tear has been shortlisted for Solicitor Advocate of the Year and Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2016.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Immigration Director Toufique Hossain and assistant solicitor Rohena Wallace achieve Level 3 (Advanced) Immigration and Asylum Law Accreditation (26 July 2016)
Legal 500 law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Public Law Director Toufique Hossain and the assistant solicitor Rohena Wallace have achieved the prestigious Law Society Level 3 Immigration and Asylum Advanced Accreditation.. Read more...
Legal 500 National Law Firm Duncan Lewis appoints Jasbir Raindi as Director of Family and Child Care for Milton Keynes (19 July 2016)
Recognised by Legal 500 2015 Edition as “an undoubted force in international children law and winner of the 5th Annual Jordan’s Family Law Firm of the Year Award”, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Jasbir Raindi has recently been appointed as a Director of Family and Childcare for the company’s Milton Keynes’ branch.. Read more...
Criminal Defence Specialist and Higher Court Advocate Chris Georgiou joins Duncan Lewis as a Consultant Solicitor (15 July 2016)
Recognised as a Top Tier and leading criminal defence practice by Chambers UK 2016, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the recent arrival of Criminal Defence Specialist and Higher Court Advocate, Chris Georgiou. With Duncan Lewis, Georgiou will practise in all aspects of criminal and fraud defence and primarily from the company’s Harrow and North London offices.. Read more...
Legal Aid Agency did not properly factor in the prospect of success when deciding whether Legal Aid should be granted through Exceptional Funding (11 July 2016)
A Duncan Lewis Judicial Review case - Applications for Permission CO/5927/2015 (The Queen on the application of Thompson v Director for Legal Aid) - saw the Director of Legal Aid refusing to grant exceptional case funding despite accepting that the Claimant had a ‘Moderate’ prospect of success. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis in first High Court challenge against asylum seeker return to Austria under Dublin III Regulation (5 July 2016)
The recent Duncan Lewis judicial review case of Abdulkadir & Anor, R (on the application of ) v SSHD [2016] EWHC 1504 (Admin) saw the High Court consider for the very first time an asylum removal case to Austria under Dublin III regulations. Duncan Lewis Public Law and Immigration Solicitor Krisha Prathepan was lead solicitor in this challenge.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Immigration Director Trevor Hatton achieves Level 3 (Advanced) Immigration and Asylum Law Accreditation (16 June 2016)
Legal 500 law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Immigration & Public Law Director Trevor Hatton has achieved the prestigious Law Society Level 3 Immigration and Asylum Advanced Accreditation.. Read more...
James Packer interviewed on LBC radio discussing the Brexit ‘leave’ campaign’s claims about EC law preventing the deportation of serious criminals (15 June 2016)
Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recommended Public Law Director James Packer was interviewed on LBC radio as an independent legal expert on 7th June, following the debate between Chuuka Umunna and Dominic Raab on the Brexit ‘leave’ campaign’s claims about EC law preventing the deportation of serious criminals.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Public Law Director Adam Tear appointed as a Level 3 (Advanced) Assessor under the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Law Accreditation Scheme (14 June 2016)
Recommended by Legal 500 in 2015 for his significant expertise in Public Law and Immigration matters, Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that Director of Public Law Adam Tear has been appointed as a Level 3 (Advanced) Assessor in relation to the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Law Accreditation Scheme.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Public Law Solicitor Kat Hacker delivers talk at the Law Society Being a Human Rights Lawyer Day (17 May 2016)
Duncan Lewis Public Law Solicitor Kat Hacker delivered a talk at the Law Society "Being a Human Rights Lawyer Day" on the 17th March 2015.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Pleased to Announce Appointment of Employment Law Director Anthony Thompson (6 May 2016)
Legal 500 recommended Law Firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the May 2016 appointment of Anthony Thompson as a Director of the firm’s Employment Law department.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Welcome New Clinical Negligence Director Rebecca Thomas (6 May 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to welcome Director Rebecca Thomas as the newest addition to the firm’s Harrow based Clinical Negligence department.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis joins Refugees, Lawyers and Waging Peace in the Play 2 Remember Football Tournament 2016 (6 April 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors took part in the London Play 2 Remember football tournament on the 2nd April 2016. Duncan Lewis Public Law Trainee Solicitor Jamie Bell provides a fun and gripping match by match account of the trials and tribulations faced by the Duncan Lewis teams.. Read more...
Legal Aid firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors to take part in London Play 2 Remember football tournament for genocide survivors (1 April 2016)
Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recommended Legal Aid Law Firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they will be taking part in the London Play 2 Remember football tournament to raise awareness for survivors of the Rwandan genocide.. Read more...
James Packer Interviewed on Nick Ferrari show discussing FGM Deportation Matter of Nine Year Old Schoolgirl (21 March 2016)
Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recommended Public Law Director James Packer was interviewed on LBC^s Nick Ferrari show discussing the matter of a nine-year-old Sheffield schoolgirl facing deportation to Nigeria this month despite fears that she may be forced to submit to female genital mutilation (FGM). Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Shortlisted for the Inaugural Solicitors Journal Legal Aid Team of the Year Award (21 March 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they have been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Team of the Year Award in the Solicitors Journal Awards 2016.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors to Walk the London Legal Walk 2016 (8 March 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce that they will be taking part in the London Legal Walk 2016.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors to Offer Monthly Free Legal Advice Clinic in Birmingham from March 2016 (1 March 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the launch of a monthly free Legal Advice Clinic in their Birmingham office from March 2015.. Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors pleased to Welcome Director Meena Kumari to their Bradford Family & Childcare Law Team (9 February 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to introduce Bradford-based Director Meena Kumari as the newest member of their Legal 500 recommended Family & Childcare practice. . Read more...
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Pleased to Announce Appointment of Community Care Director Jemma Garside (7 January 2016)
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are pleased to announce the internal appointment of Jemma Garside as Director of the firm’s Legal 500 recommended Community Care team.. Read more...
